Preview for 2009 National Nutrition Month

Purpose
National Nutrition Month® is a nutrition education and information campaign created annually in March by the American Dietetic Association. The campaign focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. Registered Dietitian Day, also celebrated in March, increases awareness of registered dietitians as the indispensable providers of food and nutrition services and recognizes RDs for their commitment to helping people enjoy healthy lives.

History
Initiated in March 1973 as a week-long event, "National Nutrition Week" became a month-long observance in 1980 in response to growing public interest in nutrition.

Sponsor
The American Dietetic Association's mission is to promote optimal nutrition and well being for all people by advocating for its members. With more than 68,000 members, ADA is the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The majority of ADA's members are registered dietitians and dietetic technicians, registered.

Food Safety

Keeping food safe is top of mind for a lot of people given all the food safety scares we had in 2008. And food safety actually starts in your own kitchen. That's right! You should take the lead to help ensure the food you eat is safe.

According to a recent article by the American Dietetic Association (in ADA Times winter 2009 edition), there are several "chilling facts" that the ADA points out:

1. Less than 50% of you know to keep your refrigerators below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Most people don't even know the temperature of their refrigerators. (Get a thermometer!)
3. Most refrigerators exceed 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
4. About half of you store food in harmful ways promoting cross contamination.
5. Your refrigerators are dirty! (Clean them.)
6. The produce bin is a haven for unhealthy bacteria. (Clean it.)
7. Don't store non-food items in your fridge. Or at least keep it to a minimum. (See below.)
8. Check the door seal. A problem with the seal could lead to mold growth.


What Non-Food Items Are You Talking About?

-Batteries, film, candles (cold temps helps keep these in good shape)
-Airplane tickets, cigars, dried flowers (cold temps don't help)
-Tooth bleach, worms, paint brushes (cold temps may help)

Want More Info?

Try www.homefoodsafety.org and www.eatright.org.

5 Factor Diet

A review of the 5 Factor Diet.

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Researchers Debunk Widely Believed Holiday Myths

Holiday season is almost here. But as you finish up your holiday errands, make sure to cut down on the late-night meals, wear a hat anytime you're outdoors to keep from losing half your body heat and keep your kids from eating too much sugar...

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A Reader Question: Diabetes & Alternative Treatments?

A reader asked me what alternatives he has to taking prescription medication for managing diabetes.
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Hi, Sammy.

The short answer: I have not seen substantial evidence-based science supporting supplements for diabetes management. I must tell you that I err on the side of caution. Having said that, there are things you should consider.

1. How's your weight? If overweight, lose it. Excess fat makes the body resist the action of insulin, which is the hormone that helps control blood sugar.

2. Do you exercise on most days of the week? If you are cleared for physical activity, then do it. We know that aerobic exercise, like walking or biking, helps lower blood sugar. Just don’t exercise and skip meals because your blood sugar could drop dangerously low.

3. Do you eat fiber? Fiber slows digestion and prevents blood sugar from spiking. Aim for about 30 grams of fiber daily. Read food labels. You want the first ingredient of grain products to say "whole grain." And eat a lot of whole foods, like fruits and vegetables. Wash them well and eat the skin if possible.

4. How do you find cinnamon? There’s a scant amount of research saying cinnamon might lower blood sugar—as well as cholesterol. You can add cinnamon to coffee and whole grain cereals (i.e., oatmeal), among other things.

5. Have you ever seen a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) or a Registered Dietitian (RD)? You can locate a CDE via the American Association of Diabetes Educators at http://www.diabeteseducator.org/DiabetesEducation/Find.html and an RD from the American Dietetic Association at www.eatright.org. Interview them on the phone to get an understanding of their views on alternative medicine. You want a practitioner who understands your wishes.

Other nutrients are mentioned alongside diabetes. Those include chromium and magnesium. Both may help insulin do its job. But answering the question of “Should I take a supplement?” is no easy task simply because the science doesn’t support it one way or the other. If you decide to take supplements of these nutrients, make sure your doctor knows.

Pro-Anorexia Groups Spread to Facebook

After meeting for years on anonymous and secret Web sites, pro-anorexia groups are now moving to more public forums like Facebook.

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Excerpts from What to Eat for What Ails You

To take a peak inside Winnie Yu's popular book, What to Eat for What Ails You, visit

http://books.google.com/books?id=NWYeIRz1kuwC&pg=PA335&lpg=PA335&dq=milton+stokes+rd&source=web&ots=tqPYMh6P-p&sig=MLuIIVrXeqXti3FYX4fjYHmxSck&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=10&ct=result

The DNA of antioxidants

Hardly a week goes by without news of antioxidants' health-promoting benefits. Experts believe these nutritional substances may help prevent heart disease, fight certain cancers, ward off dementia, and even slow certain aging processes.

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Food Labels -- How to Read Them!

This is handy guide by experts who tell us how to read food labels. Worth a read.

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Surviving the Office Lunch

Four secrets to keeping that midday lunch meeting from ruining an otherwise fit lifestyle

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Not All Bacteria Is Bad - Hype Buster - Eat Better America

When it comes to bacteria, it's all about balance. Learn how to get more good probiotic bacteria--and protect your body from bad bacteria. Does the word probiotic make you think you've slipped into the latest episode of Battlestar Galactica? Don't worry; there's nothing otherworldly about probiotics, which just means "for life."

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Stevia Update

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122955049250715515.html?mod=dist_smartbrief#

Check this link for Wall Street Journal's coverage of the FDA's stevia announcement.

University Programs Help with Weight Loss

I worked with Prevention magazine on an article covering 4 of the top university-based weight loss program across the country. Visit www.prevention.com and search "university weight loss," or just click here
http://www.prevention.com/cda/article/weight-loss-university/0c1265379a1ad110VgnVCM10000013281eac____/news.voices/in.the.magazine/january.2009.issue

I'm interested to know your thoughts on this topic!